When will they start discounting the Gen 4's?

already are. check the pricing/new owner threads.

 

Well, maybe a bit. Local conditions matter, of course. I live in a city with one dealer (and only one more within 150 miles), and while we could still talk 'em down a ways, we were about $800 over invoice; that's a discount from MSRP, but nothing I'd call a "deal". Thing is, there is a wee bit of pent-up demand from folks (like me) who've held off on pulling the trigger on a Gen3 until they could get a look at a Gen4, and the ones (like me) who decide the Gen4 works for 'em are going to pay a premium, knowingly (like me) or unwittingly, to buy now. That backlog has to clear before demand drops below supply and starts putting any real pressure on prices.

I think we'll have worked our way through those enthusiastic early buyers this spring, and well before summer we'll be in a normal market; if gas prices stay below $2/gal (as seems likely - I've already heard of ~$1 prices in some oddball corners here and there), that means a lousy market for $25k+ hybrids. As I've mentioned elsewhere, Prius sales have importance to Toyota well beyond profit per Prius sold, since they boost Toyota's fleet MPG, allowing for more sales of fat, juicy Highlanders and 4Runners dripping with profits. Since that means Toyota will want to maintain Prius sales even at somewhat reduced profitability, I think low gas prices are going to mean incentives of some kind this summer, at least 0% financing, but maybe dealer incentives as well. I guess we'll see, though actual rebates that early on a brand-new model seem unlikely unless the car's a true flop, which I'd hope won't be the case. Even if MSRPs hold firm, dealer incentives should cause transaction prices to soften considerably.

Now, for the truly patient, if the Gen4's styling remains highly controversial (I don't think that's likely, but you never know), Toyota may need to do an early refresh for 2018, creating an opportunity for great deals on 2017s in 18-24 months. The only problem with that scenario is that the current petroleum price wars may have settled down and hybrids might regain some of their luster, so that's more of a neat possibility than something to plan on.

So to answer the initial question, I'd think waiting until this summer should get you a much better price than you could manage this month or next.

 

When supply exceeds demand.

 

Yeah, or that.

Oh, by the way, I just heard this afternoon - water is, like, really WET.

 

someone was just quoted 500 over sticker. so, it's definitely regional. but it's also dependent on the dealers point of view. they are looking at all these issues as well, and having to make business decisions based upon their world view.

 

But I think like people said if you are taking a car off the lot, you have more bargaining power than if you are trying to order a Prius. The dealer I was at didn't want to budge on MSRP and I was like uhhh yeah that isn't going to fly. So we did bargain but I was taking a car off the lot.

 

You might have to drive a bit to get a good deal. Use email and telephone to your advantage. Search inventory, and send a quote request asking about the specific vehicles that dealers have in stock. Call those that appear willing to be reasonable, and make offers of what you want to pay. See if someone bites. (That is assuming you're willing to drive 150+ miles. Otherwise, waiting until summer may be a good alternate strategy).

 

Regional stock, individual dealer's stock, how long on the lot, whether it has test miles, color popularity, and changing dealer incentives all factor in. I got my 2016 Prius two in Pearl White (normally extra) for $1700 under sticker. I bargained hard, but was a bit shocked to get the deal. It was a first arrival local dealer stock in the colors and level I wanted and with less than 10 miles on the odo, so I called and quoted a price and bargained. This was two weeks ago. Somehow the stars aligned and all the variables seemed to work in my favor. I am a good haggler, but other factors played into the deal- which of course is fine!

 

With gas well below $2/ gallon, even here in northwestern Oregon where gas is always higher, Costco @ $1.799/ gal, Prius and high mpg
cars will probably not sell as they would with gas at $4 / gallon. It doesn't effect most of us but new car buyers it will...

 

Must be by state this dealer is advertising $3,600 off not sure if there is a catch.

Courtesy Toyota of Brandon | New Corolla, Camry, Tundra, Prius, RAV4, Sienna & Tacoma located at 9210 Adamo Dr, Tampa FL

 

The 2016 (Gen4) Four Touring with ATP and Conv ect is $2000 less than 2015 (Gen3) pkg 5 that has the same or less features. Discount right up front. Priced at Edmunds.com

 

Both are over-priced.

 

Buy it through the Costco Auto Program or TruCar. I saved about $3,000 on my 4th gen Prius 4.

 

welcome and congrats!

 

I got $1800 off MSRP yesterday on a Three Touring in Fort Lauderdale

 

congrats! all the best.

 

Right, and good advice to others. For us, all that was considered, and we were not willing to do any of it. Consequently, we're paying for the convenience of getting exactly what we want, right here, right now. Eyes open, just judged it worth it for us.